Egg carton closing machine



Dec. 15, 1970 A. E. COMSTOCK EGG CARTON CLOSING MACHINE sq 3 Q S 7 Q n NQ R m Q m WM. 5 m s W .w 3 m I h S 7.

9 t l 6 2 w Q M d e n 2,352 F Alfred E. Comsrock BY Dec. 15, 1970 A, E, COMSTOCK 3,5463% EGG CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed May 26, 1969 7 Sheets-Sheet 8 Fig.2

INVENTOR.

BY Alfred E. Comsfock 62%, WW

7 attorneys Dec. 15, 1970 A. E. coMsTocK EGG CARTON CLOSING MACHINE i 7 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 26, 1969 h a a N 3 5 M x ia E E i g w i? I N VEN TOR.

Dec. 15 1910 A. E. COMSTOCK EGG CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 26, 1969 ,INVENTOR. Alfred E. Comstock 8Y4 Z 2 M Attorneys Dec. 15, 1970 A. E. coMs'rocK I EGG CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 26, 1969 INVENTOR.

k M 5 w r .4 I l n m w an O C A E 71 w :llf. A a

v A. E. COMSTOCK I 3,546,340

EGG CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 26, 1969 INVENTOR.

Alfred E Comstock BY f0 Attorneys A. E. COMSTOCK EGG CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Dec. 15, 1970 Filed May 26, 1 969 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Q Q M INVENTOR- Alfred E. Comsfock Attorneys 3 1 E .m m

3,546,840 EGG CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Alfred E. Cornstock, Frontenac, Minn. 55026 Filed May 26, 1969, Ser. No. 827,502 Int. Cl. B651) 7/26, 57/00 U.S. Cl. 53376 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Machine having means for closing the covers of molded egg cartons while the egg cartons are stationary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS The machine is for closing the carton of a type which has a bottom section and a pair of covers hinged on the outer sides of the bottom section. It consists of a framework and means mounted on the framework for engaging the bottom section and holding it during closing. Means is provided for engaging the covers on the opposite sides and for moving them to closed positions. The means for engaging the bottom section and the means for engaging the covers operate in synchronism so that when said covers are moved to a closed position, the means for engaging the bottom section is out of the way of the covers.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a carton closing machine which is particularly adaptable for use with certain types of molded egg cartons utilized in conjunction with certain egg grading machines in which the carton is stationary while it is being closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character in which the covers are creased and formed before closing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character which closes cartons very rapidly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character which is relatively compact and which is simple to operate.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment is set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a carton closing machine incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 looking along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 looking along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 looking along the line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are cross-sectional views which show the manner of operation of the machine and particularly show the positions of the parts during one phase of the operation.

3,546,846 Patented Dec. 15, 1970 FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are also cross-sectional views similar to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 60 showing the positions of the various parts during a subsequent phase of the operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The carton closing machine 11 is used for closing egg cartons 12 of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 3,191,844. As disclosed in said patent, the carton is comprised of a bottom section 13 having generally rectangular configuration and has a plurality of egg receiving pockets 14. The egg receiving pockets 14 are aligned to provide two spaced parallel rows of pockets extending longitudinally of the carton and six spaced parallel rows extending transversely of the carton.

A plurality of upstanding frusto-conical posts 16 are formed as a part of the bottom section of the carton along the longitudinal centerline of the bottom section in between the longitudinally extending and transversely extending rows of pockets 14. Each of the posts 16 is provided with a slot 17 of a predetermined width and depth which is in line with the longitudinal centerline of the bottom section 13 and extends in the same direction as the longitudinal centerline. The posts 16 extend substantially above the plane of the lip 18 formed on the outer margin of the bottom section 13.

A pair of covers 19' are mounted on the bottom section 18. The covers 19 are generally rectangular in plan and each is provided with spaced side walls 21 and 22 which are inclined with respect to a top wall 23 and with respect to end walls 24. The covers 19 are formed integral with the bottom section 13 and are hinged to the outer side walls of the bottom section by fold lines 26 which form hinges between the bottom section and the side walls 22 of the covers 19. As can be seen from FIG. 6A, the covers 19 are spaced parallel to each other and are adapted to be folded inwardly so that the inclined side walls 21 seat within the slot 17 provided in the posts 16. The slots 22 have such a depth that the top walls 23 of the covers 19 are parallel to the lip 18 of the bottom section 13.

The carton closing machine is particularly adapted to be used for closing egg cartons 12 of the type hereinbefore described. The machine consists of a framework 31 adapted to be mounted upon a platform (not shown). The frame 31 consists of first and second spaced parallel side plates 32 and 33 which are maintained in their desired relationship by spacer rods 34 which are held in place by screws 36. Motive means is provided for operating the machine and is mounted on the framework 31. The motive means consists of an electric motor 37 of a suitable type such as an AC gear motor rated at of a horsepower supplied from a 60-cycle 1l5-volt AC source.

The motor 37 is mounted in cantilever fashion on the side plate 32 by three posts 38, two of which are secured directly to the side plate 32 by screws 39 and the other of which is secured to an arm 41 by a cap screw 39. The arm 41 is secured to the side plate 32 by suitable means such as rivets 42. An on-off switch 43 is mounted on the motor 37 and is provided for turning the motor 37 on and off. The control switch 43 also supplies power through a cord 44 to a control unit 46 of a suitable type such as a Warner conrtol model 540024 which is adapted to supply power to a one-revolution electric clutch 47. The electric clutch 47 is of a conventional type and is mounted upon the output shaft 48 of the gear motor 37. The electric clutch 47 is adapted to drive a sprocket (not shown) mounted on a shaft 51. The sprocket drives a chain 52 which drives a sprocket 53 mounted on a cam shaft 54 extending through the side plates 32 and 33 and rotatably mounted therein. A chain tightening sprocket 55 is mounted on the side plate 32.

A cam assembly 56 is mounted on one end of the shaft 54 outside of the plate 32. The cam assembly 56 consists of a cam member 57 which is secured to the shaft 54 by a key 58. The cam member 57 is provided with a cam surface 59, a portion of which identified as 59a is a reverse curve. An additional cam member 61 is provided which is mounted upon the cam member 57 by a pair of arms 62 secure-d thereto by screws 63. The cam member 61 is provided with a cam surface 64 which is complementary to the portion 59a of the surface 59 carried by the cam member 57 and is spaced from the surface 59a to permit a cam follower 66 to travel therebetween. The cam follower 66 is rotatably mounted upon a cam follower arm 67 which is pivotally mounted upon a post 68 mounted on the side plate 32.

The upper end of the cam follower arm 67 is pivotally connected by pin 71 to a link 72 which is pivotally connected by pin 73 to the upper end of a segment gear 74. The segment gear 74 is keyed to a shaft 76 which is rotatably mounted in the side plates 31 and 32. An additional segment gear 7'7 is keyed to the shaft 7 6 on the outside of the plate 33. The segment gears 74 and 77 each engage a spur gear train as shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4. The spur gear train consists of four gears 78, 79, 81 and 82 in which the gears 79 are engaged by the segment gears 74 and 77. The gears 78, 79, 81 and 82 are mounted outside of the plates 32 and 33 on shafts 83, 84, 86 and 87, respectively, which extend through the side plates 32 and 33. The segment gears 74 and 77 are provided with a plurality of teeth which are adapted to mesh with the spur gears 79 and which are adapted to reciprocate the same back and forth as the segment gears 74 and 77 are pivoted with the shaft 76. The shafts 84 and 86 are stub shafts mounted on the side plates 32 and 33, whereas the shafts 83 and 87 extend through the side plates.

Means is provided for yieldably urging cam follower 66 into engagement with the cam surface 59 carried by the cam member 57 and consists of a spring 89 having one end secured to a pin 91 mounted on the link 72 and having the other end mounted on a pin 92 secured to the side plate 32.

Means is provided for holding down the bottom section 13 of the carton and includes a holddown plate or blade 101 which extends transversely between the side plates 32 and 33 and which is secured to a pair of spaced holddown arms 102 by screws 103. The arms 102 are generally L-shaped as shown. The arms 102 are mounted upon a shaft 104 which is rotatably mounted in the side plates 32 and 33. A cam follower 106 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of each arm 102 and is adapted to engage a cam 107 affixed to the cam shaft 54. The cam 107 is shaped in a manner so that the holddown plate 101 is generally in engagement with the slots 17 provided in the posts 16 of the cartons during approximately 300 of travel of the cam member 107. An additional cam follower 108 is mounted on each of the arms 102 and also is adapted to be engaged by the cam 107 so that the holddown plate 101 will be driven positively down into the slots 17 provided in the posts 16.

Means is provided for holding the lids or covers 19 of the egg cartons 12 while they are within the machine and consists of cover holddown members 111 which are provided with rubber pads 112 at their lowermost extremities. The members 111 are secured to a block 113 by cap screws 114. The block 113 is secured to an arm 11 6 by cap screws 117. The arms 116 are spaced apart as shown in FIG. 1 and are pivotally mounted upon a cross shaft 118 and are held in a predetermined longitudinal position on the shaft 118 by collars 119 afiixed to the shaft and engaging one side of the arms 116 and arms 121 which are also affixed to the shaft v118. The arms 121 are relatively short and are provided with pins 122 at their outer ends. A spring 123 has one end mounted on each of the pins 122 and extends upwardly in a hole 124 provided in the associated arm 116. The other end of the spring 123 is secured to the arm 116 by a pin 126.

Means is provided for causing pivotal movement of the shafts 118 and consists of a generally triangular cam follower plate 128 (see FIG. 3) which is keyed to the shaft 118. A cam follower 129 is pivotally mounted on the plate 128 and engages a cam assembly 130 that includes a cam member 131 which is affixed to the cam shaft 54. The cam member 131 is provided with a cam surface 132 which includes a negative portion 1320. A complementary cam member 133 is provided toensure that the cam follower 129 follows the surface 132 and is secured to the cam member 132 by a pair of spaced arms 134- secured to the cam members 131 and 133 by screws 136.

Interconnecting means is provided so that both of the shafts 118 are operated together and consist of a link 137 which is pivotally connected to the triangular cam follower plate 128 by a pin 138. The other end of the link 137 is pivotally connected by a pin 139 to an arm 14-1 which is keyed to the other shaft 118. It can be seen that as the cam follower 129 follows the cam member 131 upon rotation of the cam member 131 that the shafts 118 will be operated in synchronism toperform functions as hereinafter described.

Means is provided for arresting the travel of the cam member 131 after it has completed one revolution and consists of a cam stop member 142 which is pivotally mounted upon a stop shaft 143 mounted on the side plate 33. The cam stop member 142 is provided with an extension 142a which is yieldably urged into engagement with a pin 144 mounted on the side plate 33- by a spring 146 having one end engaging a pin 147 carried by the extension 142a and having the other end engage a pin 148 carried by the side plate 33. The upper end of the cam stop member 142 is provided with a slight recess 149 which is adapted to receive a pin 151 mounted upon the cam member 131. Switch means in the form of a micro switch 152 is mounted upon the side plate 33 and is provided with an operating arm 153 which is adapted to engage the head of a screw 154 mounted in the hub of the cam member 131. When the head is engaged, the microswitch 152 is operated to perform a function hereinafter described.

Means is provided for reforming the covers 19 of the egg cartons 12 while they are within the machine and consists of a pair of spaced parallel plates 156 which is secured to a pair of arms 157 by screws 158. Each pair of arms 157 is aflixed to a shaft 159' which is rotatably mounted in the side plates 31 and 32. Means is provided for reciprocating the shafts 159 and consists of an arm 161 which is keyed to one of the shafts 159 (see FIG. 3) and which is pivotally connected by a pin 162 to one end of a link 163. The other end of the link 163 is connected by a pin 164 to one end of an arm 166 which is keyed to the other side 159. The other end of the arm 166 is pivotally connected to one end of a link 167 by a pin 168. The other end of the link 167 is pivotally connected to the triangular shaped plate 128 by a pin 169. It can be seen as the triangular shaped plate 128 is rocked back and forth as hereinbefore described that the shafts 159 will also be rocked in unison to perform certain functions hereinafter described.

Means is provided for closing the covers 19 of the egg cartons 12 after they have been formed by the plates 156 and consists of a pair of spaced parallel blades 171 as shown in cross section in FIG. 4. The blades 171 are provided with a tapered portion 171a on their leading edges. Each of the blades 171 is mounted upon a pair of spaced arms 172. The arms 172 have their lower extremities pivotally connected to additional arms 173 by pins 174. The arms 173 are affixed to the shafts 83 and 87 hereinbefore described. Each of the arms 172 is provided with a pin 176 which is adapted to travel in an arcuate slot 177. As can be seen, one of the arcuate slots 177 is provided for each of the pins 176 and for that reason there are two of the slots 177 which are provided on each of the side plates 31 and 32. It will be noted that each of the slots 177 is provided with a substantially wider portion 177a at its lower extremity as shown particularly in FIG. 4. A part 178 formed of a suitable material such as plastic is pivotally mounted by a pin 179 adjacent each of the slots 177. Each of these parts 178 is provided with a slot 181 which is arcuate in form. Means is provided for yieldably urging each of the parts 178 into a position in which the slot 181 carried by the part 178 is positioned so that the entrance end of the slot is in registration with at least a portion of the slot 177. Such means takes the form of a spring 182 which has one end afiixed to a pin 183 mounted on the associated side plate and the other end of which is connected to a pin 184 mounted on the part 178. A pin 186 is mounted on the associated side plate and limits the travel of the parts so that the entrance end of the slot 181 is in registration with the slot 177. Also, it will be noted that the discharge or exit end of the slot 181 opens into the lower portion 177a of the slot 177.

A spring 187 which has one end connected to a pin 188 mounted on the arm 173 and which has the other end mounted on a pin 189 connected to the arm 172 is provided for permitting limited pivotal movement between the arms 172 and 173 against the force of the spring 187.

A conveyor 191 is provided for moving cartons into and out of the machine 11. The conveyor 191 consists of a pair of endless chains 192 which travel in recesses 193 provided in a platform, deck or support structure 194. The endless chains 192 are driven by sprockets 196 aifixed to a shaft 197. The shaft 197 is rotatably mounted in bearings 198 carried by the support structure 194. The shaft 197 is adapted to be driven by a one-revolution clutch 199 of the type hereinbefore described. The clutch 199 is adapted to be driven by a motor 201. The endless chains 192 are provided with upstanding triangular shaped link sections 203 which extend generally in a vertical direction and which carry horizontally and inwardly extending pins 204. The spacing of the pins 204 is such that two of the pins 204 provided on opposite chains 192 are provided for each of the cartons as shown particularly in FIG. 7A.

Means is provided for guiding the egg cartons on the conveyor 191 and consists of side guide plates 206- carried by posts 207 mounted upon the support structure 194. Means also is provided for guiding the cartons while they are within the machine 11 and consists of three separate guiding members 208, 209 and 211 which extend longitudinally of the machine and are centered between the side plates 32 and 33. It will be noted that the guide member 209 is positioned in the center of the machine and that spaces 212 are provided on opposite ends of the same between the members 208 and 211. This is for the purpose of accommodating the cover closing blades 171 and to permit them to enter underneath the covers as shown particularly in FIG. 7A.

Means is provided for sensing when a carton is present 6 OPERATION switch 152 which causes energization of the one-revoluwithin the machine and consists of photosensitive means mounted within a box 216 and which is adapted to receive light through a hole 217 from a source of light contained within a source box 21 8 mounted upon one of the tie rods 34 and held in a predetermined position by a screw 219. It can be seen that when the egg carton 12 advances over the hole 217 that the passage of light through the holes 217 will be blocked to cause operation of the photocell contained within the cartridge 216.

Additional conveyor means is provided for removing the cartons after they have been removed from the machine and consists of an endless belt 221 mounted upon a roller 222.

tion clutch 199 which is being continuously driven by the motor 201. As shown in FIG. 7A, the carton is advanced into the machine until the carton interrupts the passage of light from the light source 218 to the photosensitive means 216 which deenergizes the clutch 119 to cause the conveyor 191 to stop with the carton 12 in a proper position to permit the closing operations hereinafter described to take place.

As soon as the path of light to the photosensitive means 216 is interrupted by a carton 12, the photosensitive means causes operation of the control unit 46 which energizes the electric clutch 47 which is connected to the motor 27 which was placed in operation by operation of the switch 43. Energization of the one-revolution electric clutch 47 causes the chain 52 to be driven which causes rotation of the cam shaft 54. Rotation of the cam shaft 54 causes rotation of the cam members 57, 107 and 131 which cause a sequence of operations as hereinafter described. As will be apparent from the following description, the operations are timed by the shape of the cams 57, 10-7 and 131.

As soon as an egg carton 12 has entered the machine and the cam shaft 54 has started rotating, the cams 107 are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows which causes the blade 101 carried by the arms 102 to move downwardly as shown in FIG. 6A and to enter the slots 17 of the posts 16 of the egg carton to firmly hold the bottom section 13 if the egg carton against the support structure 194.

At about the same time that the blade 101 is being moved downwardly, the cover holddown members 111 are being moved into a position in which they enter the covers 19 as shown particularly in FIG. 6A. This is accomplished by rotation of the cam 131 which is engaged by the cam follower 129. The cam follower 129 is keyed to the shaft 118. The motion of the cam follower plate 128 is transferred to an arm 141 mounted on the other shaft 118 so that both shafts 118 move in synchronism to move the cover holddown members 111 into engagement with the covers 19 of the egg carton. As explained previously, the cover holddown members 111 are yieldably urged downwardly by the springs 123 interconnecting the arms 121 and the arms 116. The arms 121 are pivoted by the shaft 118 which is keyed to the cam follower plate 128. This yieldable spring means for the cover holddown members 111 makes it possible to accommodate certain irregularities in the carton covers while at the same time firmly holding them in place upon the support structure 194.

At approximately the same time that the blade 101 is moving into position in the posts of the egg cartons and during the time that the carton holddown members 111 are moving into position, the forming blades 156 are moving downwardly in an arcuate fashion and come into engagement with the outer sides of the covers as shown in FIG. 6A to crimp or form the outer side walls of the covers inwardly toward the bottom section so that they are generally disposedin a vertical direction rather than inclined from the vertical. This movement of the forming blades or plates 156 is caused by pivotal movement of the cam follower plate 128 which causes pivotal movement of the shafts 159 by action of the links 163 and 167 and the arms 166 and 161.

As soon as the outer side walls of the covers 19 have been shifted inwardly so that they are generally in a vertical direction, the forming plates 156 are withdrawn to their normal position as shown in FIG. 7A. At approximately the same time, the cover holddown members 111 are withdrawn from the pockets also to the position shown in FIG. 7A.

As soon as the cover holddown members 111 and the forming plates 156 have been moved to out-of-the-way positions as shown in FIG. 7A, the cover pickup blades move downwardly in an outward direction around the outer margins of the covers 19 to clear the same and to the spaces 212 between the guiding members 208, 209 and 211 and go beneath the lower extremity of the covers 19. This arcuate movement is accomplished because the blades 171 are carried by the arms 172 which have the pins 176 mounted thereon that are seated in the slots 177. The arms 172 are shifted in position by the arms 173 carried by the shafts 83 and 87 which are rotated by the segment gears 77. The segment gears 77 are interconnected through a shaft 76 and are rocked by the link 72 which is connected to a cam follower 68 engaging the cam member 57. Movement of the arms 173 causes outward movement of the arms 172 as the arms 172 are guided by the pins 176 travelling in slots 177. The pins 176 continue to travel in the slots 176 and enter the slots 181 formed in the parts 178. By travelling in the slots 181 provided in the parts 178, the arms 172 travel in positions so that the cover pickup blades 171 clear the outer margins of the carton covers 19. This travel of the pins 17 6 in the slots 181 continues until they emerge from the bottom ends of the slots 181 and the blades 171 are snapped into the recesses 212 underlying the carton covers 19 by action of the springs 187.

By this time, the cam 59 has been positioned so that the segment gears 74 commence rocking movement in an opposite direction to cause opposite rotation of the shafts 83 and 87 and to cause the arms 173 to be moved in an opposite direction. As this occurs, the carton covers 19 are lifted upwardly by the blades 171. The blades 171, on their return movement, will travel a different path than the path which they followed prior to entering beneath the carton covers. This is because in the lowermost position of travel of the arms 172, the pins 176 have escaped from the arcuate slots 181 provided in the parts 178 and are now in the lower portion 178a of the slots 177. Because of the action of the springs 187, the pins 176 will engage the innermost surfaces of the slots and will travel upwardly in the slot 177. During their upward travel, the pins 176 will engage the parts 178 and will cam them into out-of-the-way positions against the force of the springs 182. Continued rotation of the arms 173 causes continued movement of the blades 171 which bring with them the carton covers to form hinges from the fold lines 26 and to bring the covers over the top of the bottom section 13.

At approximately the time that the outer margins of the covers 19 are about to engage the blade 101 in the posts 16, the formation of the cams 107 is such that the blade 101 is lifted out of the posts 16 toward an out-ofthe-way position. During the time that the blade 101 is being moved upwardly, the carton covers are being 7 moved further and further toward a closed position and the outer margins of the covers 19 engage the blade 101 which again serves to urge the outer walls of the covers 19 into a generally vertical position so that they can readily enter the slots 17 provided in the posts 16 of the egg carton which is being closed within the machine.

Just at the time that the carton covers 19 are reaching their final closed positions with their outer side walls within the slots 17 of the posts 16, the blade 1 comes back down on top of the carton covers and helps to push the carton covers to their fully closed positions thereby aiding the blades 171 in closing the cartons and thereby relieving the strain which would be placed on the blades 171 if they were relied upon to close the covers completely. Thereafter, the action of the cam 107 which controls the positioning of the blade 101 is such that the blade 101 is moved slightly above the covers of the carton to thereby clear the carton for removal from the machine.

All the foregoing motions which have been described for closing a carton are accomplished in one revolution of the clutch 47. The clutch is deenergized by operation of the microswitch 152 which is operated at the end of a cycle. The cam stop member 142 is provided to engage the pin 151 so that the cam shaft 54 will be arrested as soon as the one-revolution clutch is deenergized to thereby prevent overtravel and to ensure that all the moving parts will be in the proper position for the reception of the next carton which is to be closed when it arrives at the carton closing station within the machine. Energization of the switch also causes energization of the one-revolution clutch 199 which causes operation of the conveyor 191 to remove the carton which has been closed from the closing machine and to cause it to be placed on the endless belt 221 and to cause the next carton carried by the conveyor 191 to be brought into the closing station of the machine. The next carton again causes interruption of the beam of light passing from the light source 218 to cause the same sequence of operations as hereinbefore described to take place to cause the carton to be closed.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there has been provided a closing machine which has many novel features. First it is apparent that the closing machine will operate on cartons which are moved in a direction which is perpendicular to their longest dimension or, in other words, abreast of the six pockets of the carton. It is also apparent that the closing. machine will operate to perform all the necessary operations while the carton is held stationary in one position. Thus, as hereinbefore described, if necessary, the carton covers can be reformed as necessary and then closed while the bottom section of the carton remains stationary.

I claim:

1. In a carton closing machine for use with egg cartons of the type having a bottom section and at least one hinged cover which is hinged to the bottom section, a framework, means for engaging the bottom section and holding it to prevent movement of the same, means engaging said cover and for moving said cover to a closed position overlying the bottom section of the carton while said carton is stationary, and means for operating said means for engaging the bottom section and said means for engaging the cover so that the means for holding the bottom section is moved to an ont-of-the-Way position before the cover is brought to the fully closed position.

2. A machine as in claim 1 wherein said egg carton is of a type which is provided with a pair of covers hinged to opposite sides of the bottom section and wherein said means for engaging the cover includes a pair of members movable in synchronism and engaging both of said covers and moving both of said covers into a closed position sub stantially simultaneously.

3. A machine as in claim 2 together with means for reforming the covers prior to the time that they are brought to a closed position on the bottom section.

4. A machine as in claim 3 together with holddown means for holding said covers in a stationary position during the time that the covers are being reformed.

5. A machine as in claim 4 wherein said means for reforming said covers and said means for holding down said covers are moved to out-of-the-way positions prior to the time said covers are picked up by said means for picking up the covers and moving the same to closed positions.

6. A machine as in claim 1 wherein said carton is of a type having a plurality of posts formed as a part of the bottom section of the carton along the longitudinal centerline of the bottom section and in which the posts are provided with slots in alignment with the longitudinal 9 centerline of the bottom section, and wherein said means for holding down the bottom section includes a blade movable into the slots provided in the posts.

7. A machine as in claim 6 wherein said means for bringing the covers of the cartons into closed position is timed so that the outer side Walls of the covers are moved downwardly into the slots in the posts at the time that the blade is being removed from the slots.

8. A machine as in claim 7 wherein said means for synchronizing the operation of said means for holding down the bottom section and said means for bringing the covers into closed positions includes a plurality of cams operating in a timed relationship with respect to each other.

9. In a carton closing machine for closing cartons of the type having a bottom section with a plurality of spaced posts extending longitudinally of the bottom section along the longitudinal centerline of the bottom section and hav ing slots formed in the posts along the longitudinal centerline of the bottom section and wherein the egg carton has a pair of hinged covers provided on opposite sides of the bottom section, a framework, a blade movable between a position in said slots in said posts to hold said bottom section in a stationary position and a position out of said slots, first ca-m means for moving said blade between said first and second positions, cover holddown arms mounted on said framework for movement between a first poesition in engagement with said covers to hold said covers stationary and in a second out-of-the-way position, second cam means for moving said holddown arms between said first and second positions, forming members movable between a first position engagement with the outer side walls of the covers while they are being held by said holddown arms to reform the covers and a second out-of-theway position, third cam means for causing movement of said forming members between said first and second positions, a pair of cover pickup blades movable between a first position underlying the covers and a second position overlying the covers, fourth cam means for causing movement of said cover pickup blades between said first and second positions, and motive means for causing operation of said first, second, third and fourth cam means, said first, second, third and fourth cam means being formed so that said holddown blade enters said slots to hold down said bottom section and said holddown arms engage said covers to hold down said covers and thereafter the cover-forming members engage the covers to reform the covers, said cover holddown members and said cover-forming members are moved to said second out-of-the-way positions to permit said cover pickup blades to pick up the covers and to move them to closed positions, said holddown blade in said slots in said posts being moved to the out-of-the-way position as the covers are being moved to their fully closed positions.

10. A machine as in claim 9 wherein said means for causing operation of said first, second, third and fourth cam means includes motive means and a one-revolution clutch driven by the motive means.

11. A machine as in claim 9 wherein said cover pickup members move in one arcuate path in movement from the second position to the first position and move in a second arcuate path in movement from the first position to the second position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner U.S. C1.X.R. 53-76 

